Robin Merchant-Spickler
Running for school board in Washington County
Email: robinmerchantspickler@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/robinmerchantspicklerforboe
How old will you be on Election Day (Nov. 3)?
72
Are you currently employed? If so, where, and what is your job title?
Retired teacher
What is the highest level of education that you completed, and where did you get that degree?
Masters in early childhood education from Hood College
Why are you running for the school board?
I want to use my experience in education and community service to help strengthen Washington County Public Schools for students, families, educators and the broader community. My priorities include expanding quality learning opportunities, supporting effective and equitable schools and addressing key issues such as curriculum, safety and resource allocation through thoughtful, evidence-based decision making. I am committed to fairness, transparency and student-centered leadership that respects the dignity of every student and teacher while giving parents clear insight into how decisions are made and how those decisions support their children’s education. By participating directly in local governance, I hope to help shape district policies, strengthen collaboration and ensure that students, teachers, families and stakeholders have a meaningful voice. While some decisions may be difficult or unpopular, they should always reflect the best interests of all students. I look forward to working with Washington County Public Schools Superintendent Gary Willow to build on his leadership and continue strengthening our school system.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
I am running for the Washington County Board of Education to help keep Washington County Public Schools strong, raise academic standards and ensure every child receives a high-quality education. With the new superintendent in place, I want to bring collaborative problem solving, thoughtful decision making and firsthand classroom experience to the work ahead. As a lifelong Hagerstown and Washington County resident, I have deep roots in Washington County Public Schools—as a former student, parent of a Washington County Public Schools graduate, retired teacher from Washington County Public Schools and grandparent of three current Washington County Public Schools students. I earned degrees from Hagerstown Community College, Frostburg State University and Hood College, and I have served on Washington County Public Schools advisory and special committees, as a Washington County Teachers Association building representative and board member and as a lifetime member of the Maryland State Education Association and National Education Association. My career has given me direct experience with diverse students, families, teachers and schools, and I continue serving children by teaching fire and personal safety at Children’s Village. Beyond education, I have remained active in civic, youth, arts, church and professional organizations, including 37 years with the Washington County Junior Football League, Hagerstown Choral Arts, the National Christian Choir, Saint John’s Episcopal Church and local women’s and education groups. After 44 years in Washington County Public Schools classrooms, I know what teachers need, what families worry about and where students can fall through the cracks. That firsthand knowledge, combined with years of service to Washington County Public Schools and the community, means I am ready to serve from day one.
What is the most important issue facing your school board and what would you do about it if elected?
Staff recruitment and retention are among the most critical issues facing our school board. Teachers are leaving for higher pay and less stressful work, so I would advocate for funding that keeps salaries competitive with nearby districts and makes teaching attractive to new graduates. I would also support a reentry campaign that offers training and support for people returning to the profession without forcing them to sacrifice financial stability. To address burnout, the school board should collaborate with stakeholders on practical support, including workload relief, flexible work options and continued time at home for lesson planning and report cards. The same principle applies to staffing and funding: schools need stable resources and sustainable working conditions to serve students well. Equitable school funding ensures that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Under-resourced communities may struggle to meet basic needs, and funding gaps affect class sizes, access to advanced coursework, extracurricular opportunities and school facilities. As a school board member, I would advocate for policies that close those gaps through targeted grants, competitive teacher compensation, loan forgiveness, workload support, mental health resources and partnerships that expand after-school and summer learning. I would also ensure that families and community members have meaningful opportunities to share priorities, so that the Washington County Public School policies reflect the needs of all stakeholders.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
A public leader I personally admire is Dolly Parton because her leadership felt genuine, compassionate and rooted in who she was. I respect the way she built a career on integrity while encouraging others to lead with confidence and purpose. Her Imagination Library donated more than 200 million books to children around the world, it shows how deeply she valued literacy, education and opportunity. To me, her work proved that leadership is not just about personal success; it is also about using your influence to help others grow. Parton has also funded scholarships for underprivileged students, donated $1 million to COVID-19 vaccine research and supported causes such as women’s rights and inclusive leadership. She used her platform to serve others, break barriers and bring people together across differences. Her artistic excellence, generosity and moral courage made her a powerful model of public leadership.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, passed by the General Assembly in 2021, is a 10-year plan that includes increased funding to support early childhood education, higher teacher starting pay, college/career-readiness standards for high school graduates, and expanded services to multilingual and impoverished families, among other goals. Since the Blueprint's implementation, test scores have increased modestly in many parts of the state, but some school officials complain about the costs and administrative burdens placed on them by the Blueprint. Please tell us your views on the Blueprint and how it is affecting your school district.
The Blueprint for Maryland's Future moves Washington County Public Schools in the right direction for students, educators, families and the community. Implementation has been challenging, but my experience can help ensure students and teachers receive the support they need. Washington County Public Schools has expanded early childhood programs, strengthened pathways such as the Teacher Academy and continued working with the Washington County Teachers Association to prioritize competitive starting salaries. To meet Blueprint goals, we must improve staff recruitment, development and retention while supporting families through language access, family engagement and community school services. The Board of Education plays a critical role by aligning state and county resources with Washington County Public Schools needs and ensuring educator voices are heard. I will work to secure responsible funding that reaches classrooms, protects taxpayers and prioritizes teacher salaries, school safety, mental health supports, early childhood education and Career and Technical Education. Maryland’s Blueprint provides the framework; Washington County Public Schools must use it wisely and keep students first.
Chronic absenteeism has been a problem in many schools since the Covid-19 pandemic. How big of a problem is absenteeism in your school district, and what if anything can the Board of Education do about it?
Chronic absenteeism in Washington County Public Schools is a significant concern, affecting nearly one-third of students and weakening overall learning outcomes across the district. When students miss school consistently, teachers must spend additional time reteaching missed material, which can slow classroom pacing and reduce instructional momentum for the full class. Early chronic absence is also associated with lower graduation rates, reduced college enrollment and weaker long-term career prospects. The Board of Education can address this issue through consistent attendance policy implementation, early identification and intervention, and coordinated family, community and state-supported resources. By pairing accountability with supportive, culturally responsive and nonpunitive strategies, the district can improve attendance, strengthen academic progress and support long-term student success.
Are you satisfied with your school district's policy on AI use by students? If so, why? If not, what would you suggest to improve the AI policy?
Washington County Public Schools adopted policy ACB, “Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching, Learning and School Operations,” in August 2026 to align with Maryland’s Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act. The policy allows AI tools in teaching, learning and school operations when used according to district guidelines. Students must follow existing technology-use rules, including the student handbook sections on acceptable technology use and personally owned electronic devices. The policy is based on Maryland State Department of Education guidance and stakeholder input.
Youth mental health has been a growing concern for years now. Do you think your school district has the resources and personnel in place to deal with this issue adequately? If not, what would you suggest to improve the situation?
Washington County Public Schools has a foundational network of youth mental health supports—including school-based health centers, embedded Brook Lane staff, referrals through the Washington County Mental Health Authority, Department of Health outreach and mobile crisis response—but these resources may not meet the full scale or urgency of current student needs. Because many services depend on referrals and outside coordination, students in crisis may face delays or barriers to care, especially when schools have limited mental health staffing or when students need more intensive support. As youth mental health needs continue to rise, Washington County Public Schools would likely benefit from expanded staffing, stronger prevention and early intervention programs and more integrated coordination with community providers to ensure timely, effective support.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries? If so, what kind of books should be removed, and who should make those decisions?
Whether books should be removed from school libraries depends on the purpose, process and legal context of the removal, not just the content itself. Books that explore diverse perspectives, identities and experiences can help students develop empathy, critical thinking and understanding of different cultures. Removal could be considered if a book poses a direct threat to student safety or if it is inaccessible to students with disabilities. The process should be transparent, documented and subject to review to avoid censorship concerns. Parents should decide what books are appropriate for their own children. Washington County Public Schools already allows parents to review books in their child’s Media Center and request that specific titles be restricted for their child. That choice should not limit another child’s access to the same book. If a parent has concerns about a book’s content or language, they may submit paperwork for committee review.
